universal positive » Graphic Design

Super Bowls past and present

Roger Darnell — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:00:06 +0000

Last week, Hulu introduced its Hulu AdZone, which is presented by Toyota and offers easy access to historic Super Bowl ads extending all the way back to 1973. For the project, Hulu invited Advertising Age to highlight celebrity cameos and present expert picks for the most iconic Super Bowl ads of all time. On Sunday, February 5, tune in to www.hulu.com/adzone to watch all of this year’s ads in real-time, share them with friends and vote for your favorites. The best ad of 2012 will be announced early the next day.

On a personal note, I’m hoping for a well-matched battle between New England and New York, and I’ll also be watching for the first-ever Super Bowl spot for Lexus, which is one part of a multifaceted campaign effort produced by my clients at ATTIK. ATTIK’s work has made high-profile Super Bowl splashes in the past, to include their bold logo for Super Bowl XLIV itself just two years ago. Here’s wishing much success to everyone involved in what is sure to be one of the top media events of 2012!

Killer reels: echolab and Kultnation

Roger Darnell — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:21:12 +0000

By now I’m sure you’re well aware of my deep respect for high-end visual and sound design. Among the inspirational friends I consider to be emerging masters in these complementary storytelling fields are sound designer Gavin Little of echolab and director Marco Vinicio, aka Kultnation. In the recent past, these gentlemen (heralding respectively from Dublin, Ireland, and Mexico City, Mexico) have collaborated often, and I hope you’ll agree that the results are quite spectacular. To experience their latest works, please visit www.vimeo.com/echolab and www.vimeo.com/kultnation.

To Gavin and Vinny — thank you for the inspirations, and please keep up the great work.

Leviathan’s magical holidays

Roger Darnell — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:49:45 +0000

This spot for the Illinois State Lottery was produced by Energy BBDO in Chicago, directed by Dom Bridges of Bob Industries, and features visual effects from design-focused production studio Leviathan. As Leviathan’s Jason White recently explained to SCREEN Magazine:

“We appreciate this engaging story. Something we can all relate to. Effective and emotive. We really got behind the aspiration of the spot concept – capturing these amazing gift revealing holiday moments.”

Today, White and his colleagues reported on their very successful 2011 in SHOOT Magazine. Here’s wishing you many magical moments and dreams come true over the days ahead.

Ewasko: Days and Lights

Roger Darnell — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:39 +0000

Tommy and I are very proud to announce that our book “Ewasko: Days and Lights” — which was nominated for Blurb’s “People’s Choice Award” — is now available as an instant ebook download for Apple iBooks (iPad/iPhone).

We’re also very psyched to announce the release of the first wave of high-quality art prints and photographic products of images featured in “Ewasko: Days and Lights.” By visiting RKDfind Ewasko Gallery you can now order prints with mounting and framing services from Mpix Lab and Photobox, and specialty gifts and photo products from vendors such as IYP Photo Products and fotoflot.

If you have any questions on orders, please call me at 1.828.264.8898. Thank you very much for your interest in this project — we hope you enjoy these images and we look forward to hearing from you any time.

Killer reels: B-Reel

Roger Darnell — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:00:56 +0000

Founded in 1999 with full service offices in New York, Los Angeles, London and Stockholm, B-Reel specializes in the field of advanced digital productions on multiple platforms including web, mobile and out-of-home media. They collaborate with sister company, B-Reel Films on integrated campaigns. B-Reel Films is a traditional film production company.

B-Reel swept the 2011 Cannes Lions’ Awards with a Cyber Grand Prix, a Golden Lion and three more awards from its 15 nominations, and in July, it was named the most awarded digital company in the history of the prestigious FWA Awards. Since November of 2005, B-Reel has earned 57 Site of the Day honors.

For more information, visit www.b-reel.com and @B__REEL

eBay’s give-a-toy stores

Roger Darnell — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:30:45 +0000

Starting last Friday and for the next month, shoppers in New York City and San Francisco can use their mobile phones to purchase toys for children in need at two new interactive storefronts presented by eBay and Toys for Tots. The initiative conceived and produced by advertising agency Venables Bell & Partners features interactive displays created by international production company and design studio Brand New School (BNS) and its School of Interactive Media.

As reported by TheInspirationRoom.com, all web-connected shoppers can experience the Give-A-Toy Store and make donations online by visiting www.eBay.com/GiveAToyStore and www.Facebook.com/eBay.

King and Country’s got game

Roger Darnell — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:32:06 +0000

This Vimeo album from King and Country presents some of the Santa Monica-based design-driven production company’s best projects in the Sports category. Enjoy these spots, promos and documentary projects for Chevrolet (via Goodby, Silverstein & Partners), Fox Sports Net, The History Channel, NBC, Sirius Satellite Radio (via The Martin Agency), U.S. Cellular (via Publicis and Hal Riney) and Versus, and for all the latest from K&C, check out www.kingandcountry.tv.

Emerging filmmakers: Polynoid

Roger Darnell — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:00:47 +0000

“Loom” is the title of this amazing short film created by Polynoid (a collaboration among artists Jan Bitzer, Ilija Brunck, Csaba Letay, Fabian Pross and Tom Weber) and featuring original music and sound design by Joel Corelitz of Waveplant Studios. The highly ambitious project screened at this year’s OFFF in Barcelona and has so far been named Best International Animation Short Film at the Monterrey International Film Festival and Best Animation at Eksjö Animation Festival 2011. For more information, visit polynoid.tv.

AICP Conference 2011

Roger Darnell — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 23:38:59 +0000

This week, The AICP Conference will unite prominent leaders from the advertising industry in New York City to collectively explore ideation, creative execution and the best practices reshaping the ever-evolving creative industry. Set for October 26 and 27, the must-attend event will directly address every major issue affecting the business of creativity.

Topics include a keynote address by Joe Pytka: A Look At The Past, Present and Future, and these:
. The New Broadcasters: Facebook
. The New Broadcasters: Microsoft
. Lawyers On The Clock
. Meet the Procurers
. The Client POV: Where Production for Agencies and Brands is Heading
. The AICP Green Initiative
. A Look At Industry Etiquette

To learn more about the full program and register to attend, check out this story from SHOOT Magazine: Agenda Announced For 2011 AICP Conference

Leviathan and V Squared project Drake and friends

Roger Darnell — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:34:13 +0000

Following the success of several recent live performance projection mapping feats, design-focused, Chicago-based production studio Leviathan partnered once again with its frequent collaborator VJ Vello Virkhaus and V Squared Labs… this time for platinum selling, Grammy nominated recording artist Drake’s sold out OVO Festival, which took place in Toronto in early August. The stage’s structural set consisted of gigantic columns with retractable scrims, upon which a barrage of animated type, colorful patterns and ambient effects were projected. To highlight performances by musical guest Stevie Wonder, the team utilized a Kinect sensor to capture a surreal point-cloud avatar of the artist, which was projected live on the set for more than 16,000 fans in attendance.

Updated news on Drake, announcements on his forthcoming album release and his live concert appearances are available at facebook.com/drake and on his website at octobersveryown.blogspot.com.